Tape

Tape is Richard Linklater’s film version of the bitingly sharp play by Stephen Belber. The story is practically set in real time, in one small and claustrophobic motel room. Linklater asked three star actors and gives them room for a raw and emotional interpretation. The choice of a small digital camera helps do justice to the dramatic (and comic) talent of Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard.Vince (Hawke) is waiting in a motel room for his old school friend Johnny (Leonard). He is nervous about their first encounter in more than ten years. Johnny is back in their home town because his latest film is being screened at the local film festival. He has got on in life more than the vague Vince and makes that clear in a condescending way at their first greeting. Then Vince changes the subject: their shared high school lover Amy (Thurman). Vince acts like a therapist and when Johnny’s selfassured pose disappears with all his emotions, Vince gets a confession out of him about a date rape. A confession that is on tape. Then Amy arrives, now the local district attorney. Johnny can choose: offer Amy an apology or shall Vince just show her the tape?